Your bowstrings won’t last forever, but they’ll tell you when they’re done if you know what to look for.

How Long Do They Last?

Most bow companies recommend changing strings once a year on target bows and every two years on hunting bows. Target shooters burn through strings faster because they’re putting more arrows downrange.

Rule of thumb: every 2-3 years no matter how they look or how many shots. Strings are under pressure 24/7 even when you’re not shooting.

If you’re past the 2-3 year mark or shooting heavy volume, it is time to change your string. Check out our string builder to spec out your replacement set.

Fraying

Some fraying is normal throughout the strings life cycle. This could come from rubbing against your face, clothing, your case, or something else while you’re traveling. When individual fibers start unraveling or wearing at the edges, the string needs to be replaced. Frayed bowstrings cannot be repaired by wax or anything else. However, waxing can prolong the life of your string and make it look cleaner. 

Serving Separation

Serving is the tightly wound thread protecting the string where it contacts anything: your nock, the cams. When the coils start separating, that’s a sign you need replacement. Separation in the nocking area is more urgent than in other spots.

Serving slippage comes from the serving not being installed tight enough. Factory strings are bad about this. The fix is having it served by someone who knows what they’re doing and applies enough tension. 

If your D-loop area is separating, your nock fit changes and the loop can shift. Both will mess with your accuracy. A shop can re-serve the problem area, but if it keeps happening, the string is probably stretching and needs to be replaced.

Peep Rotation

Peep rotation is when the peep sight rotates in the center axis of the bowstring fibers as you draw. A good string shouldn’t do this if it is properly aligned.

If your peep is still spinning after shooting awhile, you’ve got options. Adding twists to the top end affects the peep more than twisting on the bottom cam. Adding complete twists is better than removing them or adding half twists, since taking twists out can loosen the serving. Sometimes just realigning the D-loop fixes it. But if you’re fighting peep rotation constantly on a string that should be settled, the string was either built wrong or is stretching. Get a new set.

A string that’s built right shouldn’t fight you on peep alignment. We stretch every string during the build and serve under proper tension so the peep stays where you put it.

String Stretch and Creep

Creep is non-recoverable elongation. It causes the bow to go out of tune, makes the peep rotate, and affects draw weight and draw length.

Bad bowstrings will gradually stretch throughout its life. New custom strings need around 5-10 shots to seat into the cams properly. That’s expected. What shouldn’t happen is continued creep after seat-in. If your timing marks are drifting, your draw length feels different, or you’re constantly re-sighting, the strings are shot.

Dry or Faded Look

Check for areas that look dry, frayed, faded, separated, or damaged. If the string looks dried out and won’t hold wax, the fibers are breaking down. Keep waxing throughout the string’s life, but eventually even well-maintained strings wear out.

Timing Marks

Many modern compound bows have timing marks on the cams. These give you a reference point for where your string should be positioned. If they’re off, it’s probably time for replacement or at least some maintenance.

Storage

A lot of bowhunters don’t realize how storage affects string life. Storing bows in barns, sheds, unheated garages, or outbuildings that cannot regulate temperature really shortens how long your strings last.

Keep your bow out of direct sunlight. Avoid mildew, mold, and damp conditions. A properly stored bow’s string should last two to three years.

When to Pull the Trigger

Ask yourself: how old is my current system? More than three years? Replace it. Less than three? Inspect for wear. If you’re seeing serving separation, the peep won’t stay put, you’ve got excessive fuzz, or your bow keeps falling out of tune, get new strings before the season. A string failure at full draw can trash your bow and hurt you.

Ready to stop babysitting your strings? Build your set in our custom string builder. Pick your bow, your colors, and we’ll have it out the door in days.